In the news

Change and flexibility in how we do our jobs and understanding what is important to everyday Missourians are issues we face daily in MU Extension. As part of the Sept. 15 ISE, Negotiating Profound Change, Michael Ouart and Beverly Coberly presented ways we can approach and better handle change. We captured their presentation and packed it into this handy PowerPoint to share with you.

The Missouri Foundation for Health has awarded a $223,000 grant to the St. Louis Healthy Corner Store Project to support program development and expansion over the next three years, reports Kay Gasen, community partnership project director and MU Extension urban program leader.

The grant was submitted by the City of St. Louis Health Department, with a subcontract to MU Extension for program administration, community outreach and nutrition education.

The St. Louis Healthy Corner Store Project works to add healthy options to the food available at small corner stores and markets in the city, primarily in neighborhoods without adequate supermarkets or other sources of affordable healthy food. The project engages local store owners, community residents and organizations in a set of strategies to increase healthy and fresh food options in St. Louis neighborhoods.

The project launched earlier this year through collaboration of MU Extension, the City of St. Louis Health and Public Safety departments, and the St. Louis Development Corporation. Startup funding was provided in part through urban extension funds on the UMSL campus, with two corner stores and neighborhoods participating in the pilot project. The St. Louis Healthy Corner Store Project will expand to 12 corner stores over the next three years, increasing access to healthy and fresh foods and engaging neighborhood leadership teams in the promotion of healthy eating.

The MU Extension Healthy Corner Store team is chaired by Kara Lubischer, community development specialist, St. Louis County, who has made a major contribution in developing the project and deserves considerable credit for the progress to date, says Gasen. Other team members include nutrition and health education specialists Mary Wissmann and Linda Rellergert, former business development specialist Jean Pollard. Two UMSL Community Fellows (graduate students) will be engaged in the community outreach components of the project.

MU Extension Day with the Tigers

Tom Henderson and Jo Britt-Rankin show their true colors at the tailgate party.

About 80 current and former extension employees, family members, guests and state extension council members gathered for a tailgate party at the Hearnes Center before the Sept. 17 blowout win by the Mizzou Tigers. They enjoyed visiting, good food and entertainment from the MU cheerleaders and Marching Mizzou.

UMEA President Susan Mills-Gray and Vice Provost for Extension Michael Ouart greeted the group. Everyone attending received a door prize. The grand prize was a voucher provided by Dr. Ouart to help cover expenses for attending the Missouri Galaxy Conference in November. It was won by Candy Gabel.

Maltsberger quoted in Woman's Day

Beverly Maltsberger, community development specialist, Buchanan County, was quoted on page 38 of the Oct. 17 issue of Woman’s Day magazine in an article titled “4 things that disaster experts do that you probably don’t”:

#3 Keep important papers together: “I keep copies of my tax returns for the last three years right next to my social Security card and my insurance paperwork in one place, so I can grab and go,” says Beverly Maltsberger, of the state Community Emergency Management leadership team in Missouri.

Missouri Photo Workshop visits Clinton, Mo.

Lisa Wallace, human development specialist and Henry County CPD, helped 39 professional journalists from 14 countries find stories in her hometown, Clinton, Mo. She was assisted by husband Dan Wallace, who is assistant superintendent of schools and an MU agricultural journalism graduate.

They were on the welcome committee for the Missouri Photo Workshop, which documented Henry County this week. Their photos will be on display at the Benson Community Center, Saturday, Oct. 1. The last time MPW was in town, thousands lined up to see how photographers saw their town. This time, a much larger show gallery can handle the crowd.

This is the 63rd annual week of extending photo education from MU campus to the world. The educational event for documentary photographers moves to a small town in rural Missouri each year. Top photographers from across nation volunteer to teach, along with MU faculty.

Duane Dailey, extension photojournalist, has invested 29 weeks to photo continuing education. Jim Curley, former extension photographer, is now MPW co-director with David Rees of the MU School of Journalism.

Dr. David Collier of the East Carolina University’s Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center discussed “Intersection of Clinical Service and Research Opportunities” and the unique role that land grant universities can fill in this research.

Register for the 2011 UMEA Galaxy Conference!

“Nov. 1 and 2 are the dates for the 2011 UMEA Galaxy Conference at the Windermere Conference Center in Roach, Mo.," says Joe Koenen, 2011 Galaxy Conference chair. “The registration form and conference agenda are available on the UMEA website.”

This year’s conference theme is “Making a Difference for a Stronger Missouri.” The Galaxy Conference is a time for professional development, networking and association meetings. There is no registration fee for attending Galaxy but attendees are responsible for room costs and transportation.

The banquet keynote speaker will be Anna Mae Kobbe, retired USDA extension director. Dr. Kobbe is noted for being an excellent speaker, teacher and humorist. She will share real-life examples from her work and volunteer experiences to drive home important messages as she discusses “Three P’s in a Pod.”

Registrations must be received by Oct. 20. Mail registration form to Cindy Zluticky, 1106 W. Main Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015.

Electronic travel reimbursement system debuts in October

MU Extension is scheduled to go live on the Electronic Travel Reimbursement System (T&E) Oct. 1. All university-paid employee travel must be submitted through this system for reimbursement. Information is available on the staff resources page at online travel vouchers. If you have any questions, please contact Callie Glascock at glascockck@missouri.edu.

Condolences

Our condolences to:

The family of Alex “Bud” Wilson Smith of Columbia, who died Sept. 9. He was 96. He worked about 15 years for extension in Whitten Hall. He took care of the extension cars, sorted mail, delivered packets to Jesse Hall and did other odd jobs.

Della Underwood, SE Region FNEP office support, on the death of her mother, Mary Gilmore, who passed away Sept. 13. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to William(Buddy) and Della Underwood, 3922 County Road 534, Ellington, MO 63638.

Kendra Graham, SE Region livestock specialist, on the death of her grandmother, Hilda Govero, who passed away Sept. 23. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Kendra, husband Mike and sons Garrett and Gavin at 1018 Madison 9216, Fredericktown, MO 63645.